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So That You Can Live

Charismatic Welsh union convener Shirley discusses her struggles, family and way of life

Documentary 1981 86 mins Not rated

Director: Cinema Action

Rent for £3.50

Overview

The residues of history in the Welsh landscape plus the traditions of working class knowledge and solidarity are examined in this searching, moving film by political film collective Cinema Action. Charismatic union convener Shirley Butts assumes the focus, but her daughter's attempts to find work also feature as she reads from Raymond Williams and stares out at an imposing London skyline.

The film developed out of an earlier project called The Social Contract. Shirley's daughter reads from The Country and the City by Raymond Williams and original music by Robert Wyatt and Scritti Politti also features. Visually, it occasionally recalls Godard's Two or Three Things I Know About Her. In many ways Cinema Action's master piece, it was broadcast on the opening night of Channel 4 in 1982.

Director

Cinema Action

Featuring

Shirley Butts , Roy Butts , Royston Butts and Diane Butts

Genres

Documentary

Certificate

Not rated

Country

United Kingdom

Language

English

Accessibility

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